Frequently Asked Questions
Where is USU located?
The university is located on the grounds of the National Naval Medical Center (soon to be the Walter Reed Army Medical Center) in Bethesda, Maryland. We are a centrally located metropolitan academy which makes our school an ideal environment for education and research.
Who attends the School of Medicine?
The university gives careful consideration to all available information about each applicant and selects students on a competitive basis without regard to race, color, gender, creed or national origin. USU is an equal opportunity educator.
How long must I serve in the Uniformed Services?
Upon receiving the doctor of medicine degree, officer graduates are required by law to serve on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force or United States Public Health Service for seven years. Time spent in graduate medical education (internship or residency) does not count toward the payback. After completing the active duty service obligation, students who served on active duty for less than 10 years post graduation are placed on the Individual Ready Reserve Roster (IRR). Students on IRR are subject to call-up by the president of the United States in times of emergency.
Do you accept transfer students?
No. Due to the unique military nature of our university, no students are accepted with advanced standing. All medical students must take the full four year curriculum.
What courses fulfill admissions course prerequisites?
- One academic year of general or inorganic chemistry including laboratory
- One academic year of organic chemistry including laboratory
- One semester of calculus (precalculus or computer science courses are not acceptable)
- One academic year of general physics including laboratory (courses in astronomy are not acceptable)
- One academic year of biology including laboratory (botany courses are not acceptable)
- One academic year of college English (introductory courses in composition or literature are acceptable)
What is the academic program like?
The year-round, four-year curriculum is 700 hours longer than that found at most other U.S. medical schools. These hours focus on the unique requirements of the military health system and United States Public Health Service. The comprehensive curriculum prepares students for careers in all fields of medicine. The medical school also equips students for work in adverse physical and psychological environments. The program includes core instruction in human biology with an emphasis on the basic sciences and integration of clinical sciences.
I am already in the military. What about me?
Military applicants compete with civilian applicants on the same level. However, there are two considerations which make them unique.
1. If you are on active duty in one of the military academies or the ROTC, you must obtain a Letter of Approval (LOA) to apply from your branch of service. See Military Contact Offices.
Remember, the LOA must clearly state that approval is granted. The letter should not say "recommends approval." It must state "has approval."
For those in the reserves, a letter from your commanding officer (who has the authority to release you) replaces the LOA. Those in the Individual Ready Reserve do not need the LOA.
2. Active duty and other military obligates, are restricted when selecting a branch of service. Civilians may choose from the three services offered (Air Force, Navy and Army). Active duty applicants must comply with their LOA instructions. Note: it is rare that a component will give permission to transfer into another component. If permission is not given, the applicant must enter the same component where they currently serve. Military applicants concerned about the status of pay and retirement should refer to Entitlements.
You want a pre-medical committee letter of recommendation. What is it? What if I don't have one?
Many undergraduate schools have a Pre-Medical Committee that interviews students, compiles letters of recommendation and writes cover letters to medical schools. The cover letter usually ranks an individual among the pool of applicants from that school. USU prefers an applicant have a pre-medical letter, particularly if their school offers one. If students do not provide a letter from the committee, they must submit a written explanation for omitting this document.
If your school does not have a committee, we will accept individual letters of recommendation. The Admission Committee recommends applicants submit three to five letters of recommendation. Three of these letters should be from academia, preferably science professors; one from a non-science professor; and a professional letter (optional). All applicants must provide a letter from a supervisor of clinical work. This can be part of a pre-medical committee letter or separate.
How do I choose between the Air Force, Army, Navy or Public Health Service? Is there any difference?
There is a difference! Applicants are not required to make a decision regarding service until the day of the interview. Interviewees are provided a form asking them to rank the services in order of preference and their commitment to each. Applicants will be given briefings about the services and the admissions staff will be available for questions. However, applicants are advised to gather information about the services prior to the interview. We suggest you visit the services' home websites at www.army.mil, www.af.mil, www.navy.mil, www.usphs.gov.
Is there an MD/PhD program?
Yes! The M.D./Ph.D. Program at USU was designed to develop outstanding, dedicated, military officers into independent physician-scientists able to carry out both clinical investigations and biomedical research in the basic sciences. The program combines a rigorous basic science graduate curriculum with outstanding clinical training and special integrated M.D./Ph.D. activities that qualify students for careers in academic medicine, biomedical and clinical research as well as clinical practice.
Who pays for my education?
The services-Army, Navy, Air Force, of Public Health Service-pay for all supplies and for all four years of undergraduate medical education plus students receive the salary of a junior officer.